Method of conditioning fluids



ea. 24, 1929. u. o. HUTTON J 9 METHOD OF CONDITIONING 'FLUIDS Filed NOV. 1.926

' IN VENTOR.

WW 1 w A TTORNEY L Patented Dee 24, 1929 STATES PATENT. OFFICE" 'nnnro o. JElIUTTON, on wnuwnrosn, WISCONSIN, AssreNon, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'ro ournnannrmnnno, a CORPORATION or nnnawann THETHUD F CONDITIONING FLUIDS Application filed November 3, 1926. Serial No. 145,990.

This invention relates to a method of conditioning fluids. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to conditioning of gaseous fluids supplied simultaneously to a carbon dioxide recorder or other device for comparative analysis of one fluid with respect to another.

Tn practically all types of gas analyzing devices wherein the test gas 0r other fluid is compared with a standard fluid it is neces sary to have the former and the latter at like vconditions of humidity. l-leretofore such conditions have usually been provided either by completely drying both the test gas and lo the standard fluid or by subjecting both to like temperature conditions and saturating the same with water vapor. With such methods and apparatus it is necessary to supply additional drying material or water at more or less frequent intervals to insure accurate functioning of the devices. I An object of my invention is to provide an improved method of bringing a plurality of separate fluids to like conditions of humidity.

Another object is to provide novel apparatus torcarrying out the method.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus of the above character wherein the amount of manual attention required is so minimized.

Another and more specific object is to provide such a method and apparatus wherein the humidifying medium employed is capable of use foran indefinite length of time without requiring replenishing.

Other objetts and advantages of theinven tion will hereinafter appear.

The invention comprises essentially the employment of a body of hygroscopic substance, I preferably a liquid, having portions with which the test esend the standard fluid are respectively adapted to contact,the .arrangement being such that said test gas and standard fluid are maintained out of contact with each other. Y

The drawing illustrates schematically and diagrammatically one embodiment which my invention mayassume inpractice,-it being understood that the invention is susceptible so ofembodiment in various-other forms withthereto. Receptacleai is divided into apair of compartments 7 andB by means of a barrier or partition 9, the lower end of said partition being spaced a short distance from the bottom of the receptacle to provide a communicating passage 10 between compartments 7 and 8.

Receptacle 5 is partially filled with a hygroscopic liquid ll, such, for example, as glycerin. The standard fluid, such as air, is admitted to compartment 7 through a pipe .or conduit 12 in a manner to provide for contact of said fluid with the glycerin in said com" partnint; whereas a pipe 13 leads off from compartment 7 above the level of glycerin therein to conduct the standard fluid to the analyzing'device. The flue gas or other fluid to be analyzed is admitted to compartment 8 by means of a pipe' or conduit 14:, the latter being preferably adapted todischarge the test fluid below the level of the glycerin '11. The bubbling of the test fluid through the glycerin agitates the latter and causes mixing or circulation through passage 10 of the portions contained, in compartments 7 and 8. A pipe 15jleads ofl from compartment 8 above the level of glycerin therein to conduct the test gas to the analyzing device.

The fluid conditioning means herein disclosed may be applied to comparative analyzing devices of the type disclosed in Patent No. 1,569,682, granted January- 12, 1926, to

Schmidt and myself, and to other devices wherein it is desired to supply the test gas and astandard fluid under like conditions of humidity-or saturation with water por.

hile T have specifically referred to the use of glycerin as a conditloning medium in the device herein disclosed, itis to be understood that other non-volatile hygroscopic liquids may be employed. Thus I may employ sulphuric acid as the conditioning medium,

as well as certain deliquescent salts; these materials being less desirable in some cases,

however, on account of their corrosive tendencies. U

Due vto the fact that the carbon dioxide contained in the test gas is practically insoluble in glycerin or in theother hygroscopic liquids aforementioned, it is obvious that a roper continuous sampleof the test gas will e supplied to the analyzing device. c In practice the hygroscopic liquid employed may comprise a solution of ninety per cent glycerin with ten per cent of water, although in some instances pure glycerin may be employed. However, the liquid employed should be such as to provide for subtracting moisture from both the test gas and standard fluid, or adding moisture to both, or v subtracting moisture from one and adding moistureto the other,-depending upon the relative vapor pressures of the two scribed my name.

uids whereby the latter will be humidified or sat mated to like degrees.

While I have shown pipe 14 discharging below the level of the liquid 11 for the PHI? pose specified, it will be understood that if the rate of flow of the test fluid is sufliciently slow the latter may be discharged into chamber 8 above the level of said liquid. Similarly, under given conditions it may be desirable to discharge both the test fluid and the standard fluid below the level of the liquid, and this arrangement may be effected by obvious expedients. v

In practice the inflowing test gas and the standard fluid will be at substantially equal temperatures, whereas under conditions of relatively wide difference in the respective temperatures a suitable auxiliary heat exchanging device may be provided :for eflect- 7 ing such temperature equalization.

l/Vhat I claim as new and desire to' secure by Letters Patent is:

1-. The method of supplying test gas and a standard fluid for comparatlve analysis under like conditions of humidity or saturation, which comprises jointly subjecting said gas and fluld to humidity'control through contact thereof with a quantity of non-volatile hygroscopic liquid while preventing mixture of said gas and fluid with each other.

2. The method of supplying test gas, and an as a standard fluid, for comparative analysis under like conditions of humidity .or saturation, which comprises jointly subjecting separate flows-of said gas and said standard fluid to humidity control b effecting contact thereof with a common ody of non-volatile hygroscopic liquid consisting of a solution of glycerin and water in the proportion of nine to one, respectively, while insuring against contact of said gas and said standard fluid with each other.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub- ULRlC o. BUTTON.

me -ace 

